How is Steel Recycled?

Steel is the most recycled material in the world; every day tons are recovered to become new products for everyday life, such as a balloon whisk, but also to produce steel wire for construction and a hundred other industries.

Yet, have you ever wondered what is the procedure for recycling steel? Keep on reading, we will tell you how.

What is the Process for Recycling Steel

The recycling of steel comes from the recovery of scrap, as steel can be found in practically all areas of our lives, from cars or building structures to the springs of a mattress, or even in the form of nails or staples.

Hence, there is a large amount of steel in scrap stage; it should be noted that steel is a 100% recyclable material.

Collection:

The first step is to collect and classify the steel by its different types, from galvanized to others such as stainless.

Packing:

The pieces of steel are packed and compacted in blocks, which helps make their transportation and handling easier. 

Shredding:

The baled blocks are shredded until they are reduced to small steel shavings.

Media Separation:

Metal shavings are subjected to various processes that help eliminate non-steel elements such as rust, paint, coatings, or other materials such as concrete remains, for example. In this way the steel is cleaned.

Foundry:

The steel is melted at high temperatures in special furnaces in order to generate a new homogeneous steel, and so melted it is put into molds in the form of long blocks or bars, thus making it possible to start producing new steel products without losing strength.

The Importance of Steel Recycling

Steel recycling allows the industry to be sustainable and respond optimally to the challenges of demand and growth in the sector. In the United States up to 95% of all steel is recycled, thus allowing the industry to be greener and make better use of resources.